Growth of political extremism - Right Wing ( Kapp Putsch ) Flashcards
What did the right disagree about ?
There were many competing right - wing groups with different objectives.Some wished to see the restoration of the monarchy, whilst others advocated a dictatorship in one or another.In areas such as Bavaria there were groups that fought for separation from the rest of Germany , whilst others wanted a united Germany so that it could become a great power again
What did the divisions in the right wing mean ?
These divisions weakened the ability of right wing groups to overthrow the republic.
aims of the conservative right ?
wanted to restore the monarchy and generally supported the Nationalist Party.
aims of the radical right ?
These groups were nationalistic, anti democratic, anti semitic and they wanted to destroy the republic.
What caused the Kapp Putsch ?
The government was obliged to put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and consequently needed to reduce the size of the army and to disband some Freikorps units.
Role of General Luttwitz ?
In Feb 1920 the defence ministers ordered two Freikorps units to disband.General Luttwitz, the commanding general, refused to disband one of them, the government then ordered his arrest.Luttwitz decided to march his troops to Berlin in protest.Luttwitz was also supported by the right wing civil servant and political Wolfgang Kapp who was intent on organising a putsch.
What did the government do ?
The government were forced to withdraw to Dresden and called on the regular army to crush the rising.The army refused
Was the rising actually dangerous ?
There was considerable tension between the military and civilian elements of the putsch and it failed to gain widespread support, even from the right wing.
Why did it end ?
Trade unions, encouraged by the socialist members of Ebert’s government, called a general strike.Berlin was bought to a standstill and ,within four days, the putsch collapsed
Why were challenges from the right wing serious
Right wing ideas were strong amongst members of the Freikorps and the army.
Undemocratic institutions made the government more unstable as there was a lack of support.
How was the Kapp Putsch not much of a challenge ( Counter argument )
Ebert called for a general strike across Berlin; Berlin was brought to a standstill.
- Shows that Germany listened to their Chancellor therefore the threat was minimised.
Shows that political extremism lacked support from working class and Germans had loyalty to the government.
Political extremism lacked public support ?
Working class did not support political extremism
Evidence :
Spartacists lacked support of working class in Berlin during their uprising
Working class were loyal to government when Ebert called a strike during Kapp Putsch shows loyalty to gov and low support for extremism.
What did the Kapp Putsch show about the army ?
- Army was not to be trusted as right wing ideas were wrong and common.
- Government had an overeliance on the army and were weak without it.
- Civil servants could be disloyal
